FAKRO, Homes for the Homeless, James Furzer, London Homeless Population, Parasitic Architecture, Parasitic Pods, Detachable pods, Parasitic pods, London Homeless Shelters, modular pods, modular design, rough sleepers, homes for rough sleepersSince 2010, the number of homeless people “sleeping rough” on the streets of London has risen 77 percent, according to James Furzer, an architectural assistant at Spatial Design Architects. In response to this humanitarian travesty, he conceived a conceptual parasitic pod home to provide temporary shelter. The winning design of the 6th Space for New Visions design competition, which called for comfortable, functional,naturally-lit spaces with a low environmental impact, “Homes for the Homeless” demonstrates howFAKRO products can be used to create detachable pods that not only attach to existing buildings, but also blend in.

James Furzer designed these detachable parasitic pods to help address London's chronic homelessness.
The design proposal demonstrates how FAKRO products can be used to create affordable temporary shelters.
The pods can be erected alone, in pairs, or in communities.
Using fresh, simple materials and long roof windows, Furzer creates an airy and comfortable safe zone.
Modular in design, the shelters snap together in a jiffy.
While this concept address the symptom, and not the cause of homelessness, it is a sensitive, smart design that addresses an enormous and burgeoning need.

FAKRO, Homes for the Homeless, James Furzer, London Homeless Population, Parasitic Architecture, Parasitic Pods, Detachable pods, Parasitic pods, London Homeless Shelters, modular pods, modular design, rough sleepers, homes for rough sleepersOn any given night, 750 people seek safety, solitude and some level of protection against London’s dank cold. Socially alienated and regularly humiliated, according to Furzer, homeless people are also 35 times more likely than the average person to commit suicide and 13 times more likely to be victims of violence. Homes for the Homeless, then, is a thoughtful attempt to alleviate some suffering for the 6,500 people who fend for themselves on the streets of London each year.

To be clear, the pods are temporary solutions that address the symptoms, but not the cause of homelessness. They would be maintained and managed by charities, so no individual is expected to suddenly find enough cash to purchase their own pods, but they are specifically meant to be budget-friendly and flexible. Fresh, modular materials combined with large roof windows create an airy but covered safe zone. The parasitic pods can be erected in singles, pairs or whole communities. Really, they would require nothing but a bit of wall space. Furzer even thought to create variable facades so the shelters don’t contrast too much with their host buildings.

“It’s time we changed our attitudes towards homeless people,” Furzer writes in his design brief. “They have a right to be treated with the same respect as anyone else. After all… it could happen to any of us.”

+ James Furzer

+ Space for New Visions

Via Arch Daily

All renders by James Furzer

James Furzer designed these detachable parasitic pods to help address London's chronic homelessness.
The design proposal demonstrates how FAKRO products can be used to create affordable temporary shelters.
The pods can be erected alone, in pairs, or in communities.
Using fresh, simple materials and long roof windows, Furzer creates an airy and comfortable safe zone.
Modular in design, the shelters snap together in a jiffy.
While this concept address the symptom, and not the cause of homelessness, it is a sensitive, smart design that addresses an enormous and burgeoning need.